A study has found that excessive calcium intake during dinner could increase cardiovascular disease risk.
The research, published in BMC Public Health, suggests that consuming a significant amount of calcium during the evening meal could potentially elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Calcium is essential for forming and maintaining bones and teeth, regulating muscle contraction, and blood clotting. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide, claiming at least 17.9 million lives in 2019 alone.
The research team examined the calcium intake of approximately 36,000 American adults using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 2003 to 2018. The participants were 17,456 males and 18,708 females, 4,040 of whom had experienced cardiovascular diseases.
The researchers divided the participants into five groups based on their calcium intake during breakfast and dinner. However, individuals under the age of 20, pregnant women, those taking calcium supplements, and those consuming more than 4,500 kcal per day were excluded from the study.
The study found that increasing daily calcium intake is beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, researchers added that replacing 5% of calcium intake at dinner with breakfast resulted in an overall 6% decrease in risk.
Experts explain that the daily biorhythm helps regulate calcium absorption, and typically, daytime is the most suitable period for this process. However, they also warned that, like any other supplement, excessive calcium intake could increase the risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases.
Most Commented